Rail tie plate



v Aug. 4, 1.931.

A. F. sc`HUPP 1,817,849

RAIL TIE PLATE Filed April 2,\ 1950 w l I III flllnnl llllllill.illl\lgll @gli/[MN gvlTNsss: (i,

H l 5 A T T O R N EY Patented 4, 133i parrain stares ALFRED F. SCHUPP, OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS RAIL TILE PLATE Application led April 23,

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in rail tie plates.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a device which will act as a combina- 5 tion tie plate, anti-creeping device, and an anti-tipping device for use on and in conjunction with railroad rails and which will be simple in construction, eflicient in use, and economical in manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combination tie plate, anti-creeping device, and an anti-tipping device which will provide a Wide bearing surface against the tie to prevent the rail from cutting into the tie.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which will prevent what is known as the spreading of rails.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention showing the general design of construction; and

F ig. 2 is a sectional view showing my invention applied to a rail and a tie and showing the manner of securing the same to both rail and tie.

Referring to the drawing wherein I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, 1 indicates a plate constituting the body portion of my device and which is preferably made of st eel or like material and cast l in one piece. Integral with the body portion of the plate 1 and adjacent one end thereof, and projecting upwardly from the body portion of the plate, is a locking shoulder 2 forming one wall for the rail base 3. Disposed at the opposite side of the rail base 3 from the f shoulder 2 is an arm or ledge 4 which is in tegral with the plate 1. This arm or ledge 4 extends somewhat angularly from the base 3 and transversely of the plate and substantially parallel to the shoulder 2. Substantially parallel with the arm i and disposed 1930. serial No. 44ejeso. n

so as to eXtend somewhat angularly'below and outwardly from the rail base 3 is a slot 5 formed in the plate 1. The lower surface of the slot 5 and the upper surface of the rail base 3 meet to form a fulcrum as shown at 10.

Formed in the ends of the body portion of the plate 1 are spike slots G. Extending downwardly from the lower surface of the body portion of the plate and disposed at opposite sides of the plate, substantially vbelow the shoulder 2 and the arm 4, are lugs 7. In Fig. 2 I have shown one of these lugs at each side of the plate 1. In working position, as shown in Fig. 2, spikes 8 are driven through the slots 6 into the tie 9. 11 indicates a rail having flanges 12 and 13 in the base thereof. It has been customaryin the art for railroads to use tie plates in order to provide a wide bearing surface against the wooden ties so as to prevent the base of the rail from cutting into the tie. It has also been customary in the art to use a device known as a rail anchor, the purpose of which is to prevent what is known as the creeping of the rail. This device is usually fastened to the base of the rail and bears against the side of the tie. There has also been in use on railroads a rail fastening device known as a rail brace or anti-tipping device which is spiked to the tie and bears against the outer side of the rail, and this device has been used particularly at curves where great pressure is exerted against the rails lateral ly. As will be explained, my device accomplishes all of the objects accomplished by the three devices mentioned above.

In the use of my invention, the same is applied to the rail base in the following manner: The arm 4 is moved up over the iiange 13 of the rail base, the flange 13 being` in` serted into the slot 5 in the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2. After the flange 13 has entered the slot 5 to its fullest depth, the plate 1 is then forced over the other flange 12 of the rail base so that the flange 12 abuts against the shoulder 2 and under the locking shoulder or dang-ela as shown in Fig. 2. `While the flange 12 is being forced into position abutting` against theV shoulder and under the locking shoulder or fiange 14 the upper f.

side of the flange 13 is forced up into Wedging contact with the lower surface of the arm or ledge 4 so that the flange 13 rests in the position shown in cross-hatched outline in F ig. 2. During this action the point indicated at 10 on the body 1 and at the inner edge of the slot 5 acts as a fulcrum.

When the flanges 12 and 13 are in working position, the rail is securely locked onto the plate 1 so that when a number of the plates 1 are applied to the rail and spiked to the ties the rail cannot move longitudinally or laterally. In addition to using spikes to secure the plate to the ties I make the plate 1 so that it has lugs 7 formed on the under surface thereof, preferably at least one on each side, as shown in Fig. 2. These lugs 7 in use will dig into the tie and prevent lateral movement of the plate 1.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that I have provided a device which will effectivelyv serve its purpose as a tie plate, and likewise act as an anti-tipping device, and as an anti-creeping device. It is readily seen that I have provided a device which will effectively prevent tipping of the rail, the rail being held firmly in position betwe-n the shoulder 2 and the arm 4, as explained hereinbefore. Likewise, my invention provides a wider base for the rail to rest upon than has been used heretofore inthe art so that my invention will Aenable the rail to withstand great side thrust and pressure.

IVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of Ymriation and inodication$7 without Vdeparting from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patentis:

A rail tie plate including a flat bed for the base of the rail, a shoulder on one side of said bed having a groove adapted to receive one flange of the rail, a downwardly inclined surface on one side of said bed extending parallel to said groove and defining a fulcrum at the juncture of said surface with said bed, and a ledge overhanging said inclined surface and forming` with said surface a slot adapted to receive the other flange of the rail.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

ALFRED F. SCI-IUPP. 

